Receipt printer, receipt printer system, and control method

ABSTRACT

A receipt printer according to an embodiment includes a sheet roller that transports a sheet from a sheet roll to a receipt issuing port. A printing device prints receipt data on the sheet. A cutter configured performs full cutting so that the sheet is separated from the sheet roll and partial cutting so that the sheet remains partially connected to the sheet roll. A processor controls the cutter to perform the partial cutting after the printing device prints the receipt data on the sheet, and also controls the cutter to perform the full cutting when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the partial cutting is performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/279,340, filed Feb. 19, 2019, which application is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/820,557, filed Nov. 22, 2017, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 10,207,523 on Feb. 19, 2019, which application is basedupon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2016-228271, filed Nov. 24, 2016, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a receipt printer, areceipt printer system using the receipt printer, and a control programfor the receipt printer.

BACKGROUND

Many devices related to paying and receiving money—such as aPoint-of-Sales (POS) terminal, a settlement terminal, or an automaticteller machine (ATM)—include a receipt printer. In general, the receiptprinter conveys a strip-shaped sheet to a receipt issuing port andprints a received amount or the like with a printing head. The receiptprinter cuts the printed sheet in front of the issuing port with acutter and issues the receipt. However, if the receipt is completelycut, there is a concern that the receipt falls from the issuing port andis lost. Therefore, there is known a receipt printer which prevents thereceipt from falling from the issuing port by performing partial cuttingby which the sheet is partially cut without performing full cutting.

The receipt issued with the partial cutting is separated, for example,when a user pulls a tip thereof and detaches the receipt from theremaining sheet. Thus, as long as the user does not detach the receiptfrom the sheet, the receipt remains in the issuing port while stillconnected to the sheet.

In particular, in a semi-self-service type settlement terminal, aself-service type POS terminal, or the like, if the user for whom thereceipt is issued does not take the receipt, the receipt remains in theissuing port, which creates a problem for the next user. Therefore, itmay be necessary for a staff member to remove the remaining receiptbefore the next user uses the terminal. It is also conceivable toinstall a device, separate from the receipt printer itself, forcollecting the receipt left in the issuing port. However, such a deviceis not desirable due to extra equipment cost.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a receipt printeraccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of thereceipt printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of asettlement terminal that is a host machine of the receipt printeraccording to a first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations fora control procedure related to receipt issuance executed by a CPU of thereceipt printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of aself-service type POS terminal that is a host machine of the receiptprinter according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations fora control procedure related to receipt issuance executed by a CPU of thereceipt printer according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide a receipt printer which can automatically eliminatea receipt left in an issuing port without increasing equipment cost, anda receipt printer system using the receipt printer.

A receipt printer according to an embodiment includes a sheet rollerthat transports a sheet from a sheet roll to a receipt issuing port. Aprinting device prints receipt data on the sheet. A cutter configuredperforms full cutting so that the sheet is separated from the sheet rolland partial cutting so that the sheet remains partially connected to thesheet roll. A processor controls the cutter to perform the partialcutting after the printing device prints the receipt data on the sheet,and also controls the cutter to perform the full cutting when apredetermined condition is satisfied after the partial cutting isperformed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a receipt printer which can automaticallyeliminate a receipt left in an issuing port without increasing equipmentcost, and a receipt printer system using the receipt printer will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates a receipt printer 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) accordingto a first embodiment, which can be used in a receipt printer system byconnecting to a semi-self-service type settlement terminal 30 (FIG. 3)as a host machine. The semi-self-service type checkout system includes aregistration terminal that generates accounting data necessary forsettlement of a transaction and a settlement terminal that executes atransaction settlement processing based on the accounting data areseparated. For example, a store clerk may operate the registrationterminal, and a customer may operate the settlement terminal.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the receiptprinter 10. The receipt printer 10 includes a housing 11 thataccommodates a sheet roll 20, which is a strip-shaped sheet wound in aroll shape. The receipt printer 10 includes a sheet feed roller 12, aplaten roller 13, a thermal head 14, and a cutter 15, all disposedwithin the housing 11. The receipt printer 10 is provided with a receiptissuing port 16 on one side surface of the housing 11. The receiptprinter 10 also includes a sheet transport path along which the sheet 20is conveyed, so that a leading end of the sheet roll 20 accommodated inthe housing 11 is discharged from the receipt issuing port 16.

The sheet feed roller 12 is positioned at the most upstream side of thesheet transport path, that is, on the side closest to the sheet roll 20.The sheet feed roller 12 nips the leading end of sheet roll 20 fed outfrom the roll shape with a pair of rollers and transports the leadingedge to a downstream side by a rotational force thereof.

The platen roller 13 is positioned on the downstream side of the sheetfeed roller 12. The platen roller 13 further transports the leading edgeof the sheet roll 20 to the downstream side by the rotation thereof.

The thermal head 14 is positioned facing the platen roller 13 with thesheet transport path interposed therebetween. The thermal head 14 printsthe receipt printing data on a portion of the sheet roll 20 transportedon the platen roller 13 using, for example, a thermosensitive printingprocess.

The cutter 15 is positioned at the most the downstream side of the sheettransport path, that is, in front of the receipt issuing port 16. Thecutter 15 includes a fixed blade 15 a provided above the sheet transportpath and a movable blade 15 b below the sheet transport path. The cutter15 cuts the sheet roll 20 discharged from the receipt issuing port 16,at a position upstream of the receipt issuing port 16 by moving themovable blade 15 b upward and toward the fixed blade 15 a with the sheetroll 20 positioned therebetween. In this case, the movable blade 15 bmay move a first moving amount so that a sheet piece P of the sheet roll20 remains attached by a small portion. On the other hand, the movableblade 15 b may move a second moving amount larger than the first movingamount so that the sheet piece P of the sheet roll 20 is completely cutoff. That is, the cutter 15 can perform full cutting for completelycutting the sheet piece P of the sheet roll 20 and partial cutting forleaving a part of the sheet piece P attached to the sheet roll 20.

Moreover, the sheet piece P which is fully cut by the cutter 15 fallsfrom the receipt issuing port 16 by gravity. Therefore, in the receiptprinter 10, a box 17 for accommodating the sheet piece P is attachedbelow the receipt issuing port 16. In addition, in the receipt printer10, a sensor 18 is provided in the vicinity of the receipt issuing port16 to detects the presence or absence of the portion of the sheet roll20 discharged from the receipt issuing port 16. The sensor 18 is, forexample, an optical sensor. The sensor 18 outputs an ON signal whiledetecting the sheet 20, and outputs an OFF signal when it does notdetect the sheet 20.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of thereceipt printer 10. The same reference numerals are given to theportions common to FIG. 1.

The receipt printer 10 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 101, aRead Only Memory (ROM) 102, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 103, a timer104, a communication interface 105, a transport motor 106, a head driver107, a cutter motor 108, an input port 109, and a system transmissionpath 110. The system transmission path 110 includes an address bus and adata bus, and provides communication between the CPU 101, the ROM 102,the RAM 103, the timer 104, the communication interface 105, thetransport motor 106, the head driver 107, the cutter motor 108, and theinput port 109.

The CPU 101 is connected to the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 via the systemtransmission path 110 to function as a computer. The CPU 101 correspondsto a central processor of the computer. The CPU 101 controls eachhardware unit in order to realize various functions of the receiptprinter 10 according to a program such as an operating system,middleware, and/or application program.

The ROM 102 and the RAM 103 correspond to a main memory of the computer.The ROM 102 stores programs such as the operating system, middleware,and application program. The RAM 103 stores setting data to be referredto when the CPU 101 performs various processes. The RAM 103 is also usedas a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU101 when performing various processes. The RAM 103 may store themiddleware or the application program. Similarly, the ROM 102 may alsostore the setting data.

The timer 104 measures a predetermined. For example, the timer 104provides a signal when the predetermined time has elapsed. Although thepredetermined time is arbitrary, it is preferable to set thepredetermined time according to the shortest time required for theaccounting data for a subsequent customer to be sent from theregistration terminal to the settlement terminal 30 after issuing thereceipt for a current customer in the receipt printer 10.

The communication interface 105 connects the settlement terminal 30 thatis the host machine and performs data communication with the settlementterminal 30. Here, the communication interface 105 functions as acommunication unit of the receipt printer 10.

The transport motor 106 drives the sheet feed roller 12 and the platenroller 13. The sheet feed roller 12 and the platen roller 13 are rotatedin a predetermined direction by the transport motor 106 and transportsthe sheet roll 20 to the receipt issuing port 16. Here, the sheet feedroller 12, the platen roller 13, and the transport motor 106 function asa transport unit that transports the sheet roll 20 to the receiptissuing port 16.

The head driver 107 drives the thermal head 14. The thermal head 14prints the receipt printing data on the sheet roll 20 based on controlfrom the head driver 107. Here, the thermal head 14 and the head driver107 function as the printing unit that prints the receipt printing dataon the sheet 20 transported to the receipt issuing port 16.

The cutter motor 108 drives the movable blade 15 b of the cutter 15. Thecutter motor 108 can be driven in two stages of a partial cutting fordriving the movable blade 15 b by the first moving amount and a fullcutting for driving the movable blade 15 b by the second moving amount.If the cutter motor 108 performs the partial cutting drive, the cutter15 leaves the sheet piece P attached to the sheet roll 20 by a smallportion. If the cutter motor 108 performs the full cutting drive, thecutter 15 completely cuts the sheet piece P from the sheet roll 20.Here, the cutter 15 and the cutter motor 108 function as the cuttingunit capable of performing full cutting for separating the sheet piece Pof the from the sheet roll 20 in front of the receipt issuing port 16and partial cutting for leaving a small portion thereof attached.

The input port 109 receives the ON signal or the OFF signal output fromthe sensor 18. The CPU 101 determines whether or not the sensor 18detects the sheet 20 based on the signal received via the input port109.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of thesettlement terminal 30. The settlement terminal 30 includes a CPU 301, aROM 302, a RAM 303, an auxiliary storage device 304, a clock unit 305, acommunication unit 306, a touch panel 307, a reader and writer 308, aprinter interface 309, a change machine interface 310, and a systemtransmission path 311. The system transmission path 311 includes anaddress bus and a data bus, and provides communication between the CPU301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the auxiliary storage device 304, theclock unit 305, the communication unit 306, the touch panel 307, thereader and writer 308, the printer interface 309, and the change machineinterface 310.

The CPU 301 is connected to the ROM 302, the RAM 303, and the auxiliarystorage device 304 via the system transmission path 311, and functionsas a computer. The CPU 301 corresponds to a central processor of thecomputer. The CPU 301 controls each functional unit in order to realizevarious functions of the settlement terminal 30 according to a programsuch as an operating system, middleware, and/or application program.

The ROM 302 and the RAM 303 correspond to a main memory of the computer.The ROM 302 stores the program such as the operating system, middleware,and application program. The RAM 303 stores setting data to be referredto when the CPU 301 performs various processes. The RAM 303 is also usedas a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU301 when performing various processes. The RAM 303 may store themiddleware or the application program. Similarly, the ROM 302 may alsostore the setting data.

The auxiliary storage device 304 corresponds to the auxiliary storageunit of the computer. For example, a Hard Disc Drive (HDD), a SolidState Drive (SSD), an Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EEPROM), or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 304. Theauxiliary storage device 304 stores data used by the CPU 301 performingvarious processes or data generated by the processing in the CPU 301.The auxiliary storage device 304 may store the application program.

The clock unit 305 functions as a time information source of thesettlement terminal 30. The CPU 301 determines the current date and timebased on the time information provided by the clock unit 305.

The communication unit 306 connects the registration terminal via awired or wireless network and receives the accounting data sent from theregistration terminal.

The touch panel 307 functions as an input device and a display device ofthe settlement terminal 30. The touch panel 307 displays a selectionscreen for selecting a payment method such as cash or electronic money,a payment status check screen based on the selected payment method, orthe like. A settlement button for instructing check termination by thesettler is also displayed on the check screen.

The reader and writer 308 reads data recorded in a recording medium, forexample, a card or an integrated circuit (IC) chip which is one type ofa payment medium, and writes the data to the recording medium. The cardmay be any one of various cards for recording information related tosettlement processing such as a member card and a point card in additionto settlement cards such as a credit cards, a debit card, an electronicmoney card, and a prepaid card. The IC chip may be provided in aninformation terminal such as a smartphone in addition to theabove-described various cards.

The printer interface 309 provides for communication with the receiptprinter 10. The printer interface 309 outputs the receipt printing datagenerated by the CPU 301 to the receipt printer 10.

The change machine interface 310 connects an automatic change machine.The change machine interface 310 captures data regarding thedenomination and amount of cash inserted into the automatic changemachine. In addition, the change machine interface 310 outputs changedata generated by the CPU 301 to the automatic change machine.

The settlement terminal 30 causes the CPU 301 to function as ageneration unit 321 and an issuance control unit 322 based on a controlprogram that is one type of an application program stored in the ROM 302or the RAM 303. The generation unit 321 generates the receipt printingdata based on the accounting data received from the registrationterminal and payment data according to a payment method selected fromthe selection screen. The issuance control unit 322 outputs the receiptprinting data to the receipt printer 10 in response to the input of thesettlement button of the check screen, and controls issuance of thereceipt on which the receipt printing data is printed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations fora control procedure related to receipt issuance executed by the CPU 101of the receipt printer 10. The procedure is performed in accordance witha program stored in the ROM 102 or the RAM 103. The control procedureillustrated in FIG. 4 and described below is an example and if the sameresult can be obtained, the control procedure and the control contentthereof are not particularly limited.

The CPU 101 waits for receipt of the receipt printing data, in a standbystate, in Act 1. When the receipt printing data is received from thesettlement terminal 30 via the communication interface 105 (Yes in Act1), the CPU 101 stores the receipt printing data, in Act 2.Specifically, the CPU 101 stores the receipt printing data in a printbuffer of the RAM 103.

Next, the CPU 101 controls the transport motor 106 so that the sheetroll 20 is conveyed along the sheet transport path, in Act 3. The sheetfeed roller 12 and the platen roller 13 are driven, and the leading edgeof the sheet roll 20 is conveyed. Therefore, the CPU 101 controls thehead driver 107 so that the receipt printing data is printed on thesheet roll 20, in Act 4. The thermal head 14 is driven and the receiptprinting data stored in the print buffer is printed on the sheet roll 20on the platen roller 13. The CPU 101 determines whether or not printingof the receipt printing data is completed, in Act 5. If the printing isnot completed (No in Act 5), the CPU 101 returns to Act 4 and continuesthe printing control of the receipt printing data.

When the printing of the receipt printing data is completed (Yes in Act5), the CPU 101 stops the transport motor 106 and stops the transport ofthe sheet roll 20, in Act 6. The CPU 101 controls the cutter motor 108so that the cutter 15 performs the partial cutting, in Act 7. With thecontrol, the sheet roll 20 with the leading end in a state of beingdischarged from the receipt issuing port 16 is cut so that a sheet pieceP in front of the receipt issuing port 16 remains connected to the sheetroll 20 by a small portion.

The settlement terminal 30 starts accepting the next accounting data,assuming that the transaction for one customer has ended by issuing thereceipt as described above.

Therefore, the CPU 101 starts the timer 104 as Act 8. The CPU 101 checkswhether or not the timer 104 has provided a signal that thepredetermined time has expired, in Act 9. When the timer 104 has notprovided a signal that the predetermined time has expired (i.e., the ONsignal is received) (No in Act 9), the CPU 101 checks whether or not thesensor 18 detects the sheet piece P that is partially connected to thesheet roll 20, in Act 10. If an output signal from the sensor 18 is theON signal, the sheet piece P that is partially connected to the sheetroll 20 is detected by the sensor 18. In this case (Yes in Act 10), theCPU 101 returns to the processing of Act 9. In other words, the CPU 101waits until the timer 104 provides a signal that the predetermined timehas expired or the sensor 18 does not detect the sheet piece P, in Act 9and Act 10.

When the output signal from the sensor 18 is switched to the OFF signalis received) before the timer 104 provides a signal that thepredetermined time has expired, that is, when the sheet piece P that ispartially connected to the sheet roll 20 is not detected by the sensor18 (No in Act 10), the CPU 101 stops the timer 104, in Act 11.

On the other hand, when the output signal from the sensor 18 is notswitched to the OFF signal and the timer 104 provides a signal that thepredetermined time has expired, that is, when the predetermined time haselapsed in a state where the sheet piece P that is partially connectedto the sheet roll 20 is still detected by the sensor 18 (Yes in Act 9),the CPU 101 controls the cutter motor 108 so that the cutter 15 performsthe full cutting, in Act 12. Accordingly, the sheet piece P extendingfrom the receipt issuing port 16 is fully cut so that the sheet piece Pis no longer partially connected to the sheet roll 20. The sheet piece Pthen falls into the box 17 and is accommodated therein.

Here, the CPU 101 executes the processing control of Act 6 to Act 12, sothat the sheet piece P on which the receipt printing data is printed bythe printing unit is initially partially cut by the cutter, and thenfull cutting is performed on the same sheet piece P if a predeterminedcondition is satisfied before conveyance of sheet roll 20 is startedagain by the transport unit in connection with a subsequent transaction.

After the processing of Act 12, the CPU 101 stops the timer 104 as Act11. When the processing of Act 11 is ended, the CPU 101 terminates thecontrol procedure related to one receipt issuance.

As described above, in the receipt printer 10 of the embodiment, whenthe receipt printing data is received from the settlement terminal 30,the sheet feed roller 12 and the platen roller 13 are driven, the sheetroll 20 is transported to the receipt issuing port 16 along the sheettransport path and the thermal head 14 is driven, and thereby thereceipt printing data is printed on the sheet piece P of the sheet roll20. If printing of the receipt printing data is terminated, the cutter15 performs the partial cutting and the sheet piece P extending from thereceipt issuing port 16 is partially cut in front of the receipt issuingport 16. However, in this case, since the cutter 15 performs the partialcutting, a part of the sheet piece P on which the receipt printing datais printed remains partially connected to the sheet roll 20 and stillextends from the receipt issuing port 16. Therefore, since the sensor 18detects the sheet piece P, the ON signal is output from the sensor 18.In addition, in the receipt printer 10, the elapsed time from when thepartial cutting is performed is measured by the timer 104. When thesignal from the sensor 18 remains the ON signal (i.e., not the OFFsignal) and the timer 104 has timed out, the cutter 15 performs the fullcutting, and the sheet piece P remaining in the receipt issuing port 16is completely cut and falls within the box 17.

The customer can receive the receipt by pulling the leading end of thesheet piece P discharged from the receipt issuing port 16 before thetimer 104 has timed out. When the customer receives the receipt, thesignal of the sensor 18 is switched from the ON signal to the OFFsignal. In this case, in the receipt printer 10, the cutter 15 does notperform the full cutting and waits for the next receipt printing data.

However, the customer may return without having received the receipt(i.e., the sheet piece P). When the timer 104 has timed out without thecustomer taking the receipt, the cutter 15 performs the full cutting.Therefore, the sheet piece P remaining in the receipt issuing port 16 iscompletely cut, falls within the box 17, and is accommodated therein.Thereafter, the receipt printer 10 waits for the next receipt printingdata.

Therefore, the predetermined time of the timer 104 is set as theshortest time required for the next accounting data to be sent from theregistration terminal to the next customer after issuing, for example,the receipt in connection with a current transaction. Therefore, even ifthe previous customer does not receive the receipt, since the receipt isfully cut before the next customer approaches the settlement terminal30, the receipt remains in the receipt issuing port 16 when the nextcustomer approaches. Therefore, even if the previous customer does notreceive the receipt, it is not a problem for the next customer.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment includes the receipt printer 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2)connected to a self-service type settlement terminal 40 (FIG. 5) as ahost machine in a receipt printer system.

Since a hardware configuration of the receipt printer 10 is common tothe first embodiment, the description with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of thesettlement terminal 40. The settlement terminal 40 includes a CPU 401, aROM 402, a RAM 403, an auxiliary storage device 404, a clock unit 405, acommunication unit 406, a touch panel 407, a reader and writer 408, ascanner interface 409, a printer interface 410, a change machineinterface 411, and a system transmission path 412. The systemtransmission path 412 includes an address bus and a data bus, andprovides communication between the CPU 401, the ROM 402, the RAM 403,the auxiliary storage device 404, the clock unit 405, the communicationunit 406, the touch panel 407, the reader and writer 408, the scannerinterface 409, the printer interface 410, and the change machineinterface 411.

The CPU 401 is connected to the ROM 402, the RAM 403, and the auxiliarystorage device 404 via the system transmission path 412, and functionsas a computer. The CPU 401 corresponds to a central processor of thecomputer. The CPU 401 controls each unit in order to realize variousfunctions of the settlement terminal 40 according to a program such asan operating system, middleware, and/or application program.

The ROM 402 and the RAM 403 correspond to a main memory of the computer.The ROM 402 stores the program such as the operating system, middleware,and application program. The RAM 403 stores setting data to be referredto when the CPU 401 performs various processes. The RAM 403 is also usedas a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU401 when performing various processes. The RAM 403 may store themiddleware or the application program. Similarly, the ROM 402 may alsostore the setting data.

The auxiliary storage device 404 corresponds to the auxiliary storageunit of the computer. For example, the HDD, the SSD, the EEPROM, or thelike is used as the auxiliary storage device 404. The auxiliary storagedevice 404 stores data used by the CPU 401 performing various processesor data generated by the processing in the CPU 401. The auxiliarystorage device 404 may store the application program.

The clock unit 405 functions as a time information source of thesettlement terminal 40. The CPU 401 determines the current date and timebased on the time information provided by the clock unit 405.

The communication unit 406 is a communication interface that connects toa store server via a wired or wireless network and receives data signalfrom the store server.

The touch panel 407 functions as an input device and a display device ofthe settlement terminal 40. The touch panel 407 displays a registrationscreen on which a name of a commodity to be registered, a money amount,or the like is displayed, a payment screen on which a total amount, adeposit amount, a change amount (electronic money balance) or the likeis displayed, or the like.

The reader and writer 408 reads data recorded in a recording medium, forexample, a card or an IC chip which is one type of a payment medium, andwrites the data to the recording medium. The card may be any one ofvarious cards for recording information related to settlement processingsuch as a member card and a point card in addition to settlement cardssuch as a credit cards, a debit card, an electronic money card, and aprepaid card. The IC chip may be provided in an information terminalsuch as a smartphone in addition to the above-described various cards.

The scanner interface 409 connects a scanner for optically reading acode symbol such as a bar code. The scanner interface 409 receives dataof the code symbol read by the scanner.

The printer interface 410 connects the receipt printer 10. The printerinterface 410 outputs the receipt printing data generated by the CPU 401to the receipt printer 10.

The change machine interface 411 connects an automatic change machine.The change machine interface 411 captures data on the denomination andamount of cash inserted into the automatic change machine. In addition,the change machine interface 411 outputs change data generated by theCPU 401 to the automatic change machine.

The settlement terminal 40 causes the CPU 401 to function as ageneration unit 421, an issuance control unit 422 and an instructionunit 423 based on a control program that is one type of an applicationprogram stored in the ROM 402 or the RAM 403. The generation unit 421generates the receipt printing data based on sales data of a commodityregistered via the scanner or the touch panel 407, and payment dataprocessed via the automatic change machine or the reader and writer 408.The issuance control unit 422 outputs the receipt printing data to thereceipt printer 10 and controls issuance of the receipt on which thereceipt printing data is printed. The instruction unit instructs fullcutting of the receipt with respect to the receipt printer 10 whendetecting a touch operation of the touch panel 407 within apredetermined time after the receipt is issued.

FIG. 6 a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations for acontrol procedure related to receipt issuance executed by the CPU 101 ofthe receipt printer 10. The procedure is performed in accordance with aprogram stored in the ROM 102 or the RAM 103. The control procedureillustrated in FIG. 4 and described below is an example and if the sameresult can be obtained, the control procedure and the control contentthereof are not particularly limited.

The CPU 101 waits for receipt of the receipt printing data, in a standbystate, in Act 21. When the receipt printing data is received from thesettlement terminal 40 via communication interface 105 (Yes in Act 21),the CPU 101 executes the same processes of those of Act 2 to Act 8 ofthe first embodiment, as Act 22 to Act 28, respectively.

The CPU 101 checks whether or not the timer 104 has provided a signalthat the predetermined time has expired, in Act 29 after the timer isstarted as Act 28. When the timer 104 has not provided a signal that thepredetermined time has expired, (No in Act 29), the CPU 101 checkswhether or not there is a full cutting instruction from the settlementterminal 40, in Act 30. When there is no full cutting instruction (No inAct 30), the CPU 101 checks whether or not the sensor 18 detects thesheet piece P that is partially connected to the sheet roll 20, in Act31. If an output signal from the sensor 18 is the ON signal, the sheetpiece P that is partially connect to the sheet roll 20 is detected bythe sensor 18. In this case (Yes in Act 31), the CPU 101 returns to theprocessing of Act 29. In other words, the CPU 101 waits until the timer104 provides a signal that the predetermined time has expired, the fullcutting instruction is received, or the sensor 18 does not detect thesheet 20, in Act 29 and Act 31.

When the output signal from the sensor 18 is switched to the OFF signalbefore there is no full cutting instruction and the timer 104 provides asignal that the predetermined time has expired, that is, when the sheetpiece P is not detected by the sensor 18 (No in Act 31), the CPU 101stops the timer 104 as Act 32.

On the other hand, when the output signal from the sensor 18 is notswitched to the OFF signal and the timer 104 provides a signal that thepredetermined time has expired, that is, when the predetermined time haselapsed while there is no full cutting instruction in a state where thesheet piece P partially connected to the sheet roll 20 is still detectedby the sensor 18 (Yes in Act 29), the CPU 101 proceeds to Act 33. Inaddition, also when the full cutting instruction is received from thesettlement terminal 40 before the timer 104 has timed out (Yes in Act30), the CPU 101 proceeds to Act 33. In Act 33, the CPU 101 controls thecutter motor 108 so that the cutter 15 performs the full cutting.Accordingly, the sheet piece P extending from the receipt issuing port16 is fully cut so that the sheet piece P is no longer partiallyattached to the sheet roll 20. The sheet piece P which is fully cutfalls into the box 17 and is accommodated therein.

Here, the CPU 101 executes the processing control of Act 26 to Act 33,so that the sheet piece P on which the receipt printing data is printedby the printing unit is initially partially cut by the cutter, and thenfull cutting is performed on the same sheet piece P if a predeterminedcondition is satisfied before conveyance of sheet roll 20 is startedagain by the transport unit in connection with a subsequent transaction.

After the processing of Act 33, the CPU 101 stops the timer 104 in Act32. When the processing of Act 32 is ended, the CPU 101 terminates thecontrol procedure related to one receipt issuance. In addition, thesettlement terminal 40 is in the idle state waiting for registration ofa commodity to be purchased by the next customer.

As described above, also in the case of the receipt printer 10 of theembodiment, similar to the first embodiment, if printing of the receiptprinting data is terminated, the cutter 15 performs the partial cuttingand the sheet piece P extending from the receipt issuing port 16 ispartially cut in front of the receipt issuing port 16. In this case,since a part of the sheet piece P on which the receipt printing data isprinted remains in the receipt issuing port 16, the sensor 18 detectsthe sheet. When the signal from the sensor 18 is not the OFF signal, andeither the timer 104 has timed out or there is full cutting instructionfrom the settlement terminal 40, the cutter 15 performs the fullcutting, and the sheet piece P extending from the receipt issuing port16 is completely cut and falls within the box 17.

In the settlement terminal 40, the full cutting instruction is outputfrom the settlement terminal 40 to the receipt printer 10 when detectinga touch operation of the touch panel 407, after the settlement enters anidle state following issuance of the receipt. Normally, the touchoperation of the touch panel 407, from the idle state after the receiptissuance, is performed when the next customer starts the operation ofthe settlement terminal 40 for accounting with respect to the purchasedcommodity, i.e., a subsequent transaction. In the settlement terminal40, the full cutting instruction is output to the receipt printer 10when the touch operation is detected. The cutter 15 performs the fullcutting in the receipt printer 10 in response to the full cuttinginstruction. Therefore, even if the previous customer has not taken thereceipt and the receipt remains in the receipt issuing port 16, thecutter 15 performs the full cutting drive when the next customerarrives. Thus, the sheet piece P is completely cut and falls within thebox 17, so that it is not a problem for the next customer.

In addition, even if the timer 104 has timed out before the nextcustomer arrives, the cutter 15 performs the full cutting. Therefore,even when the next customer does not arrive so quickly, it is possibleto prevent the printed sheet piece P from remaining in the receiptissuing port 16.

Hereinafter, modification examples of the embodiments will be described.In the first and second embodiments, the sensor 18 may be omitted fromthe receipt printer 10. In this case, in the first embodiment, theprocessing of Act 10 of FIG. 4 is simplified and in Act 9, the timer 104waits for the predetermined time to elapse. When the timer 104 providesa signal indicated that the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 101causes the cutter 15 to perform the full cutting, in Act 12. Inaddition, in the second embodiment, the processing of Act 31 of FIG. 6is simplified so that Act 29 and Act 30 wait for the timer 104 indicatesthat the predetermined time has elapsed or the full cutting instructionis received. When the timer has timed out or the full cuttinginstruction is received, the CPU 101 causes the cutter 15 to perform thefull cutting as Act 32. Therefore, even if the customer receives thereceipt, the cutter 15 performs the full cutting drive, and potentialproblem for the next customer can be avoided. It is possible to preventthe idle operation of the cutter 15 in advance by providing the sensor18 as in the first and second embodiments.

According to the second embodiment, the instruction unit instructs thereceipt printer 10 to perform full cutting of the receipt when detectingthe touch operation of the touch panel 407 from the idle state after thereceipt issuance. However, the instruction unit is not limited to theembodiment. For example, a human detection sensor may be provided in thesettlement terminal 40. After the receipt is issued, once the humandetection sensor stops detecting a person, full cutting of the receiptmaybe instructed to the receipt printer 10 when the human detectionsensor subsequently detects a person. Also in this case, since thereceipt left by the previous customer can be eliminated from the receiptissuing port 16 at the time when the next customer arrives, thepotential problem for the next customer can be avoided.

In addition, in a case where the settlement terminal 30 is thesemi-self-service type as in the first embodiment, the instruction unitmay be provided in the settlement terminal 30 so as to output the fullcutting instruction when the accounting data is received from theregistration device.

In the first and second embodiments, the receipt printer 10 connected tothe settlement terminal 30 or the settlement terminal 40. However, thereceipt printer 10 may be provided in the settlement terminal 30 or thesettlement terminal 40 in an integrated form. In addition, the receiptprinter is not limited to being connected to the settlement terminal.For example, the receipt printer of the embodiment can be connected toan automatic accounting machine in, for example, a train station, aparking lot, a toll road, or the like.

Moreover, in general, the receipt printer is provided in a state where aprogram such as a control program is stored in the ROM. However, anexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto and the receipt printer maybe provided in a state where the program is not stored in the ROM or ina state where another control program is stored in the ROM or anauxiliary storage unit. In this case, the control program or the likeindividually transferred to the receipt printer may be written inwritable storage device included in the receipt printer in accordancewith an operation of the user, or the above-described other controlprogram may be rewritten. Transfer of the control program or the likecan be performed by recording on a removable recording medium or bycommunication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form aslong as the program can be stored in, for example, a CD-ROM, a memorycard, or the like, and is readable by a device. In addition, a functionobtained by installing or downloading a program may be one whichrealizes the function in cooperation with an operating system (OS) orthe like inside the apparatus.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein maybe made without departing from the spirit ofthe inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receipt printer system comprising: a hostmachine including: an input device, and a first processor configured togenerate receipt data based on a transaction; and a receipt printerincluding: a roller configured to transport a sheet from a sheet roll toa receipt issuing port, a printing device configured to print on thesheet the generated receipt data, a cutter configured to perform partialcutting so that the sheet remains partially connected to the sheet rollor full cutting so that the sheet is separated from the sheet roll, anda second processor configured to: control the cutter to perform thepartial cutting after the printing device prints the receipt data on thesheet, and upon detection of an operation by the input device after thepartial cutting is performed, control the cutter to perform the fullcutting.
 2. The receipt printer system according to claim 1, wherein theinput device is a touch display.
 3. The receipt printer system accordingto claim 2, wherein the first processor is configured to control thetouch display to display a screen for registering commodities.
 4. Thereceipt printer system according to claim 1, wherein the secondprocessor controls the cutter to perform the full cutting when the inputsignal has not been received for a predetermined time after the partialcutting was performed.
 5. The receipt printer system according to claim1, wherein the receipt printer comprises a box in which the sheet isreceived after the full cutting is performed.
 6. The receipt printersystem according to claim 5, wherein the box is attached on a frontsurface of a housing of the receipt printer.
 7. The receipt printersystem according to claim 6, wherein the receipt printer comprises anoptical sensor to detect the sheet in the receipt issuing port, and thebox is attached below the optical sensor.
 8. The receipt printer systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the sheet extends from the receipt issuingport after the partial cutting is performed, and the sheet falls fromthe receipt issuing port after the full cutting is performed.
 9. Thereceipt printer system according to claim 1, wherein the host machinecomprises a communication interface by which data is transmitted orreceived to or from a store server via a network.
 10. The receiptprinter system according to claim 1, wherein the host machine comprisesa reader and writer configured to communicate with an IC card.
 11. Amethod of issuing a receipt in a receipt printer system, the methodcomprising: generating receipt data based on a transaction; transportinga sheet from a sheet roll to a receipt issuing port; printing thegenerated receipt data on the sheet; performing partial cutting so thatthe sheet remains partially connected to the sheet roll; and upondetection of an operation by an input device, performing full cutting sothat the sheet is separated from the sheet roll.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the input device is a touch display. 13.The method according to claim 12, further comprising: registeringcommodities via a screen shown on the touch display.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising: when the input signal has notbeen received for a predetermined time after the partial cutting wasperformed, performing the full cutting so that the sheet is separatedfrom the sheet roll.
 15. The method according to claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving the sheet in a box after the full cutting isperformed.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the box isattached on a front surface of a housing of a receipt printer in thereceipt printer system.
 17. The method according to claim 15, furthercomprising: detecting the sheet in the receipt issuing port by anoptical sensor, and the box is attached below the optical sensor. 18.The method according to claim 11, wherein the sheet extends from thereceipt issuing port after the partial cutting is performed, and thesheet falls from the receipt issuing port after the full cutting isperformed.
 19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:transmitting or receiving data to or from a store server via a network.20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: communicatingwith an IC card by a reader and writer.